Ruth Eugenia Towns passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026, at the age of 94 in Ashford, Alabama. Born on February 19, 1931, in Alabama, Ruth’s life was a testament to her unwavering spirit and her commitment to her community.
Eugenia was the cherished daughter of George Harvey and Willie Edna Glass. Her life was one of devotion, not only to her family but also to her work and her faith. She was married to the love of her life, I.H. Towns, Jr., on December 26, 1951, and together they built a life filled with joy and service. Eugenia was a dedicated employee at Alabama Power Company for 43 years, where her work ethic and warm personality were well-known and appreciated by all who worked alongside her.
Her faith played a central role in her life. Ruth was a devoted member of Watermark Church and previously taught Sunday School for many years at Wayside Baptist Church.
Eugenia’s love for her family was immeasurable. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, her husband, I.H. Towns, Jr., her son Ike Towns (I.H. Towns, III), her sisters Annette Merritt, Edna Earl Glass, Willie Frank Kirkland, and her brother, George Glass. Her memory will be forever held in the hearts of her six nephews and one niece, who will continue to cherish the countless memories they created together.
Known for her sweet disposition, Eugenia had a fondness for Dairy Queen, a simple pleasure that brought her great joy. She was a loving individual who made a lasting impact on everyone she met. Her generosity knew no bounds, as she donated to every charity with a giving heart, truly embodying the spirit of altruism.
Eugenia Towns will be remembered as a loving and sweet person. As we say goodbye to this remarkable woman, we take comfort in knowing that her spirit will live on through the many lives she touched.
Funeral services will be held at 10 A.M. Monday, January 26, 2026 at Watermark Church with Reverend Todd Thorpe officiating. Burial will follow at Hillview Cemetery in Alexander City, Alabama
The family will receive friends at the church on Monday, January 26, 2026 from 9:30 to 10.
Cheryle Ann Anderson Valentine, a resident of Dothan passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Southeast Health Hospital.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 2:00pm in the Glover Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1:00pm until 2:00pm at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to The American Stroke Association, PO Box 84062, Dallas, TX 75284.
Cheryle was born on November 24, 1956 in Wellsville, New York and spent her early years growing up there. She later moved to Florida in her mid-twenties. Her and her husband met on a blind date in 1992 and later married on October 22, 1994. Cheryle worked as an office manager in the petroleum retail industry. She was very crafty and always working on different craft projects. She enjoyed embroidery and sewing. She made her dress and her husband’s tie for the formal dinner of their honeymoon. Her thoughtful gestures will always be remembered by those close and dear to her.
Cheryle is preceded in death by her father, Arthur James Anderson and step father, Kenneth McCracken Jr.
Survivors include her husband, Steven Phillip Valentine; mother, Mona McCracken; brother, Kenneth “Skeet” McCracken III (Kimberly); sisters, Gayle Distasio (Lewis) and Beth Stuart (Mark); many nieces and nephews.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Kathlene McCardel Thompson passed away peacefully on January 22, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama. She was born on April 2, 1938, in Cottonwood, Alabama. Kathlene was known for her love, faith, and gentle spirit, and she touched many lives through her kindness.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James McCardel and Elmeady Watson McCardel, and her husband, Daniel Thompson. She is survived by her sons, Phillip Thompson (Teresa) and Warren Thompson (Donna); her granddaughters, Kimberly Szilvasy (Chase) and Laura Thompson; and her great-grandchildren, Augie Szilvasy and Hamilton Szilvasy.
Kathlene devoted her life to her family, her faith, and her community. She worked for many years in the cafeteria at Beverly Middle School, where she cared deeply for the students and staff and treated them like family.
She was a faithful member of Memphis Baptist Church for over thirty years and enjoyed being part of the senior group, especially the trips and friendships she made along the way.
After retiring, Kathlene and her husband enjoyed traveling together and making special memories. She found joy in simple moments, especially time spent with her family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 26, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ward Wilson Funeral Home. A private family burial will follow.
Kathlene will be remembered as a loving, faithful, and gentle woman. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Mildred Alice Byrd Hice, a resident of Ozark, died Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the home of her son. She was 80 years old. Funeral services for Mrs. Hice will be 10:00 A. M. Saturday, January 31, 2026, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Dr. Eric Fuller officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Friday evening from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Mrs. Hice was born March 11, 1945 at Fort Rucker, Alabama to the late Leonidas Byrd and Sarah Elizabeth Willis Byrd. She was a 1963 graduate of Carroll High School and attended Troy State University. Mrs. Hice met and married Robert Lee Hice while he was stationed at Fort Rucker. They were located at numerous duty stations while Bob served in the United States Army and moved back to Ozark in 1969. Alice and Bob managed the Ozark Roller Bowl Skating Rink for many years. She later began her work as a substitute school teacher with the Ozark City School System. Alice worked in the pre-school department at the Ozark Baptist Church until her retirement. She loved to read, take care of her plants and flowers and was an avid Alabama fan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lee Hice, Sr.; one son, John Edward Hice; one grandson, Issac Lee Hice; one sister, Gwen English; and two brothers, Jimmy Byrd and William Byrd. Survivors include one son, Robert Lee “Bobby” Hice Jr. (Suvaughn) of Ozark; two grandchildren, Alex Hice (Heather) and Josh Hice; two great grandchildren, Natalie McKee and Eleanor “Ella” McKee; and two sisters, Deann Medley of Ozark and Sue Ward of Reno, Nevada. Several nieces and nephews also survive. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Kristy (Ozark EMS), Denna and Olivia (Dale Medical Home Health), and Ashley and Angelia (Community Hospice) for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to Marley Mill Volunteer Fire Department, 3299 North County Road 21, Ozark, Alabama 36360.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mr. Eddy Cline Odom, age 77, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Flowers Hospital following a brief illness. Funeral services for Mr. Odom will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 26, 2026, Camp Ground Baptist Church with Reverend Merrell Henry officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Military Honors, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends Monday in the church from 9:30 A.M. until service time. Eddy was born March 10, 1948 in Enterprise, Alabama. He served in the Army for 22 years, and then worked for the Fort Rucker Aircraft Maintenance Contract for 14 years. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling, fishing, spending time with family and friends. Eddy was a devoted husband, father and Pawpaw. He loved his grandkids and always made sure to be at everything they had and cheering them on from the sidelines. He was an avid Alabama fan and loved cheering on the Tide. He was a member of Campground Baptist Church, leaving behind a rich legacy of faith and service. Eddy was proceeded in death by his parents, Mazean and Clarence Odom, and brother Sammy Odom. He is survived by his wife, Judy; his children, Derek (Jessica), Mike (Heather) and his grandchildren, Nathan,Kadyn and Bryce; brothers-in-law, Bobby and Don. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to Campground Baptist Church 3898 West Andrews Ave, Ozark, Alabama.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
CW3 John Ray Kennamore, Sr. (United States Army, Retired), a resident of Dothan and formerly of Ozark, died Wednesday, January 21, 2026, in Flowers Hospital. He was 88 years old. Funeral services for CW3 Kennamore will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, January 28, 2026, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Jason Johnson officiating. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery with Full Military Honors, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Wednesday from 9:30 A.M. until service time.
John Ray Kennamore, a devoted husband, decorated United States Army veteran, aviation safety pioneer, and lifelong public servant, passed away after a life defined by perseverance, courage, and unwavering service to others. Born on May 27, 1937, in Birmingham, Alabama, Ray’s early years were shaped by profound hardship. Raised by his widowed grandmother in extreme poverty—often without electricity, plumbing, or a permanent home—he learned resilience, humility, and self-reliance at a young age. Those early struggles forged the quiet strength, determination, and work ethic that would guide him throughout his life. At just 18 years old, Ray enlisted in the United States Army on January 3, 1956, beginning a distinguished military career that spanned more than two decades. While stationed in Germany, he met the love of his life, Christel Becher, and they were married on April 1, 1958. Their marriage became his constant anchor through years of deployments, danger, and sacrifice. Ray served his country in some of its most critical moments, including duty in Beirut, Lebanon; Berlin during the Berlin Crisis; and two combat tours in Vietnam. As an Army aviator and warrant officer, he flew rotary-wing aircraft in combat and later served in leadership roles as Operations Officer, Safety Officer, and Instructor Pilot. He was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded in a rocket and mortar attack in Vietnam—an attack that tragically claimed the life of a fellow pilot and close friend. Beyond the battlefield, Ray left an enduring legacy in military aviation safety. While assigned to the U.S. Army Safety Center, he helped pioneer groundbreaking human-factors research that transformed how aviation accidents are investigated. His work reshaped safety practices across all branches of the military and influenced national aviation safety standards, saving countless lives in the decades that followed. After retiring from active duty in 1976, Ray continued to serve others through civilian roles. He worked in law enforcement with the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, instructed future Army aviators, and later served as a GS-13 Aviation Safety Officer with the U.S. Army Safety Center until 2004. Ray often spoke with gratitude about how the military changed his life—taking a boy from desperate circumstances and giving him purpose, education, and opportunity. He earned his GED, a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, a master’s degree in criminal justice, and completed post-graduate studies in psychology, proving through example that perseverance can overcome even the most difficult beginnings. In retirement, Ray embraced a well-earned slower pace, enjoying time with loved ones, a sharp sense of humor, and the simple pleasure of rest—often joking that he was “working hard at doing nothing.” Above all else, Ray was a devoted husband and family man whose life reflected quiet strength, integrity, and service. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. John Ray Kennamore is survived by his beloved wife, Christel Kennamore; his children, John Kennamore, Jr. and wife Paula, and Sylvia Diana Scyphers and husband Sonny; his grandchildren, Steven Scyphers and wife Mallory, Justin Kennamore and wife Kerri, Brandy Kennamore, Sharon Mines, Brandon Kennamore and wife Anna, and Andrew Kennamore and wife Cherish; his great-grandchildren, Natalie Pierce, Izabella Kennamore, Bradon Kennamore, Alexis Kennamore, Molly Kate Mines, Hadley Scyphers, Claire Mines, Brody Brannon, Paxton Kennamore, Maren Scyphers, Jaxon Robinson, and Braelyn Chalmers; and many close family members and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to your local animal shelter; or to The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 1 Metroplex Drive , Suite 230, Birmingham, Alabama 35209 (alz.org).
